• What is the need you are hoping to address?
• Who is your audience? Who are you hoping to serve?
• Who will be involved in the planning and implementation of the project?
• Are all participants supportive of the cause and are they all willing to give their time and energy to develop a service project?
• Do you have support and/or permission from the appropriate adult leaders?
• Determine a timeline and budget for the project and a list of all other resources that you will need. (Other resources may include donated or purchased supplies, volunteer support, a location and transportation.)
• If your project requires outside financial support, develop a fundraising plan. (This could include bake sales, car washes, soliciting donations from individuals or businesses and applying for grants from foundations.      
  

Once you have developed a plan and completed your project, here are the next steps…

• Allow time for reflection and discussion among participants.
• Create an evaluation plan, which will help you to determine the success of your project.
• You may wish to ask yourselves the following questions. 
• Did you serve the appropriate audience?
• How did they benefit from your services?
• Did you reach the number of people you had anticipated?
• Were the budget, timeline and location on target?
• Were the participants pleased with the results?
• Would your participants and/or audience be interested in doing a similar project again?
• Is there anything you would change if you were to do a second program?
• Report back to all parties who provided you with support, as well as the adult leaders who assisted you throughout the process.
• Seek ways to publicize your success.

Click here for examples of youth taking initiatives